J. W. BRIDGEMON
J. W. BRIDGEMON, an old settler of Bigelow township, was
born Aug. 1, 1811 in Wythe Co., Virginia. At age seven, he moved
to Campbell Co., Tenn. and, at age 16, to Alabama where he was
employed as a stage driver. After two years, he went to Walker
Co., Georgia; after staying two years there, he moved to Hiawassee
Purchase, Tenn. In Tenn., he married Lucinda GIBSON, daughter
of George GIBSON, in May, 1834. He immediately left for
Mo., but coming to the Ohio River, he was unable to cross. He
rented a farm in Kentucky for a year and then was able to come
on to Mo. where he settled in Buchanan Co.. In 1845 he moved to
Clay Co. and in 1847 came on to Holt Co., settling on the Mo.
River in East Lewis township. He went to Calif. in 1850 and returned
in 1851; he made a second trip to Calif. in 1854, returning the
next year. In 1857-58, he farmed in Brown Co., Kansas, then returned
to Bigelow township. He has been a Democrat all his life. He twice
drove cattle from Buchanan Co. to Pennsylvania before there were
railroads. He has nine children, all living.